Additional parking part of college update

Rachel Morrison/PioneerOCCC parking lot improvements provide students with 161 new available parking spaces.

As students come to OCCC this spring semester, they may notice there are a few more places to park.

As many as 161 new spaces have been added to parking lot B, next to the school library, according to a safety and security report.

J.B. Messer, Facilities Management Direcor, said the additions were implemented as part of a renovation to the north side of the library, which also includes walkways leading from the library to the campus pond, and a parking area for the campus pond.

Messer said the changes came about as a result of observations and suggestions by school planners.

“They saw a few things that could be altered, so we decided to act on it and make some changes,” he said.

Adjunct professor Michael Reeves said the additions were needed.

“Sometimes when you come to OCCC later in the day, you’re forced to park in the back in some areas … or even another parking lot altogether,” Reeves said. “Any addition made to the parking area is a great idea for the school.”

Messer said there are other areas around campus that could benefit from more parking but said he doesn’t know when that might happen.

Interior design major Casey Akard said she thinks it would be a good idea for the college to add still more parking spaces.

“We really could use more parking spots”, Akard said.

“I’m sick of having to park really far away every day. They need a lot more.”

For more information and a parking map, visit the college’s website at www.occc.edu.